Saskatchewan returning some applications for provincial nomination

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is returning applications from candidates employed in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors.

Among the changes made to the SINP in March 2025 was the introduction of a 25% nomination cap for candidates employed in these sectors.

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The province has reached this 25% cap.

Candidate applications that are submitted under these sectors will be returned as they no longer qualify under the current allocation, according to an email from a SINP representative received by CIC News.

If any unused nominations become available, the SINP may issue additional nominations in these sectors later in the year.

The province has clarified that it will continue to accept Job Approval Forms (JAF) for occupations in these sectors.

A Job Approval Form (JAF) is a document that employers in Saskatchewan must submit to the provincial government if they wish to hire a foreign worker through the SINP. If the form is approved, a Job Approval Letter (JAL) is issued, which serves as a pre-approved authorization for an employer to hire a foreign worker, who can then apply to immigrate through the SINP.

A JAL is necessary for workers under employer-focused streams to enter Saskatchewan’s EOI pool as candidates for provincial nomination under the SINP.

Limiting the recruitment of overseas workers

Among the changes announced earlier this year, the SINP also announced that it would limit approvals for candidates overseas unless they belonged to specific occupations.

Approvals for candidates overseas would be reserved for those whose occupations fall in the following sectors:

• Health;
• Agriculture; and
• Skilled Trades.

Recruitment for all other sectors and occupations would only be supported if the candidate was already a temporary resident of Canada.

On June 2, the SINP confirmed in an email that it has not yet met the 25% allocation for non-temporary resident applications.

Why has Saskatchewan overhauled its Provincial Nominee Program?

In 2025, the federal government cut PNP allocations for almost all provinces and territories by 50%, a move that has forced Saskatchewan to reassess how it manages its limited nomination spaces.

Additionally, according to the province, a new federal requirement mandates that 75% of provincial nominees must already be in Canada.

To adapt, Saskatchewan has revised the SINP intake strategy to ensure it can continue to support the province’s labour market needs.

Some other changes made by the SINP earlier this year include

• Closing its Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator PR pathways;
• Removing eligibility for some Open Work Permit holders;
• Limiting eligibility for the SINP’s Student Category; and
• Removing spas, salons, and pet care services (excluding veterinarians) from eligibility for recruitment through the SINP.

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